
ligand design
Ligand design refers to the process of creating molecules that can bind specifically to a target, such as a protein or enzyme, in biological systems. These ligands can be used in medicine to develop drugs that effectively interact with disease-related targets, enhancing therapeutic effects or inhibiting harmful processes. The design involves understanding the target’s structure and function to create ligands with optimal shape and chemical properties, ensuring strong and selective binding. This tailored approach can improve the efficacy of treatments while reducing side effects, making ligand design a critical aspect of drug development and biochemistry.